
Developing Spent Fuel Strategies
To generate new solutions for spent fuel waste management and address broader fuel cycle concerns
Nuclear materials, whether used in weapons systems or for energy programs, are at risk of theft, sabotage, or diversion by state and non-state actors alike. A lack of political focus, patchy regulations, and inconsistent enforcement globally could pave the way for an act of nuclear terrorism. Additionally, as the demand for nuclear energy grows, so does the risk that individual countries could divert nuclear materials from peaceful purposes to develop clandestine nuclear weapons programs.
NTI’s Nuclear Materials Security Program works to strengthen global nuclear security and verifiably prevent the spread of nuclear materials that could be used to create a nuclear bomb. The program works closely with governments, industry, and other non-government organizations to better secure vulnerable nuclear materials or eliminate them where possible. It also seeks to identify and implement new approaches to the nuclear fuel cycle, reducing proliferation risks, and fostering responsible nuclear energy growth. NTI establishes practical solutions by convening leaders, developing actionable recommendations, and tracking progress on commitments, taking into account each stage of the nuclear fuel cycle and advanced reactor development.
Our work includes:
To generate new solutions for spent fuel waste management and address broader fuel cycle concerns
Building a safer, more secure, and more proliferation-resistant nuclear fuel cycle
Breaking down gender barriers and making gender equity a working reality
Strengthening the global nuclear security system
Minimizing the Use of HEU in Civil Applications
An international bank to supply nations with low-enriched uranium (LEU) to operate nuclear power reactors in case of supply disruption.
Engaging a diverse group of states to develop innovative monitoring and verification solutions
Improving verification to prevent nuclear weapons proliferation
Building a framework for assurance, accountability and action
Engaging hospitals, industry and governments on radiological risks
The term “safeguards effectiveness” means the effectiveness of IAEA verification—that is, the ability of the IAEA to detect non-compliance.
The ways sustainability of the IAEA safeguards system can be ensured by the agency, its Member States, and the international community
The concepts of “nuclear safety culture” and“nuclear security culture” are well established in IAEA practice, but no similar terminology is used for nuclear safeguards.
The IAEA safeguards system ensures that the nuclear material and activities falling under the scope of agreements between the IAEA and states are not being used to build nuclear weapons or any other nuclear explosive devices.
Efforts to develop sustainable solutions for the long- term management of HLW have been ongoing for decades, and most programs around the world have experienced both successes and failures.